Actress Lupita Nyong'o is facing criticism for a question she posed about the ancient Greek author Homer during a press tour for Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of "The Odyssey." Nyong'o, who portrays Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra in the upcoming movie, questioned the perceived lack of attention given to female characters in Homer's epic.
"So, Homer, how do you feel about the screen time given to these women considering how little you spent with them?" Nyong'o asked during an appearance on the Jake's Takes YouTube channel. "Remember us?"
The remarks have drawn a strong reaction online, with some users labeling the question "idiotic" and "snarky." Critics have also pointed to Nyong'o's previous admission that she had not read "The Odyssey" before being cast in the film, leading some to question her preparation and academic background. One social media user wrote, "She received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama and knew nothing of The Odyssey going in. Yale is turning into an expensive community college."
In a May interview with Elle, Nyong'o acknowledged going into discussions for the role with limited knowledge of the source material. "I really had no idea what The Odyssey was," she stated. "So it was a crash course. I picked up the books and read them immediately. I have this film to thank for my Greek mythological education."
Nyong'o also elaborated on director Christopher Nolan's approach to the film in a separate interview with DC Film Girl. "What Chris is interested in in this film is investigating the cost of war," she explained. "And when you read the Iliad and the Odyssey, very little time is spent in the perspective of the women. It’s told from a very masculine side of things. But this film takes time to really consider things from the female perspective. And so we see in Helen and Clytemnestra how this war has affected them both."
Some online commentators have drawn parallels between Nyong'o's press tour comments and those made by actress Rachel Zegler during the promotional tour for Disney's "Snow White," which also generated controversy. The film "The Odyssey" is scheduled for release on July 17.